Allante Pickens never planned to become a scientist when he enrolled at Missouri University of Science and Technology last year, but he's obviously a smart guy.

"That was the only scholarship offer I had," he said Wednesday night. "I took the opportunity and I took advantage of it."

Now Pickens is taking advantage of a new opportunity at Kirkwood Community College.

Pickens scored 18 points and steered the fifth-ranked Eagles to an 84-71 victory over Marshalltown Community College in a non-conference game at Johnson Hall.

Pickens averaged 11.1 points at Missouri Science and Technology as a freshman, but the Miners struggled through a 3-23 campaign and he decided to transfer.

Kirkwood recruited him in high school in Chicago, so he contacted KCC Coach Bryan Petersen about the possibility of joining the Eagles. Kirkwood needed a new point guard and Pickens needed a new school.

"This is a great program," said Pickens, who plays a lot bigger than his listed size of 5-foot-8. "I'm having fun. It's the most fun I've had in a long time. It's going to be a great year."

Pickens is averaging 13 points for the Eagles, who raised their record to 4-1 with the victory. He collected four assists Wednesday and hit three 3-pointers.

Petersen said Pickens has been a "combo" guard most of his career as a point guard and off-guard. He wants to see Pickens continue to develop at the point and he'd also like to see him become more of a vocal leader.

"I'm on him every day," said Petersen. "He's working on it, and I think he grew up a little bit with that in the second half."

Marshalltown pulled within three points, 63-60, with five minutes remaining, but Pickens and the Eagles dominated the final portion of the game for a wire-to-wire victory.

Pickens let his performance speak for itself, even when he wasn't a vocal traffic cop.

"I'm kind of quiet, and this is my first year for really being vocal," he said. "Coach P wants me to lead the team. I'm learning to be more vocal.

"I just focus on getting my teammates the ball, and then I let the game come to me. I don't try to force anything."